Chapter 55 (Hard Acting)

Pei Zhiwei sat in the flower hall chatting with everyone, her back cushioned with two or three layers of thick brocade.

She pinched a piece of cloud cake and sipped it slowly. The pastries from Jiangnan were indeed much tastier than what she had eaten before.

It was just the right amount of sweet; it made me feel much better after eating it.

Even the frustration from the broken trail dissipated considerably.

Xiao Yunzhan was at the head of the table flipping through the autopsy records that Zhou Wenbin had just sent over.

Gu Boheng was sitting diagonally opposite him, and had been stealing glances at him several times, each time looking like he wanted to say something but hesitated.

Pei Zhiwei was anxious for him.

Xiao Yunzhan: "The Suzhou case is pretty much over."

The autopsy records for Jiang Yong's family show that they suffered greatly before their deaths.

Zhang Mo's fatal wound was the knife in his chest.

There were no further clues.

Gu Boheng sighed, a hint of guilt on his face.

"This time, we really owe a great debt to Your Highness and Minister Pei."

"As the prefect of Suzhou, how could I have been so slow to realize such a major incident happening under my jurisdiction? It's truly shameful to admit."

After hesitating for a long time, he couldn't help but ask directly, "Your Highness... how much of what you've investigated these past few days has you... how much of it have you mentioned to His Majesty?"

As Pei Zhiwei savored the cloud-shaped cake in her hand, she secretly felt a pang of sympathy for the Prince Consort Gu.

They were already on guard against this group, but despite all their precautions, they ended up in their own backyard and stumbled upon a series of major cases.

There's no need to investigate the canal transport issue anymore. With so much trouble happening in his own territory, if His Majesty just charges him with incompetence and strips him of his governorship, the entire Liang Dynasty will probably say: "His Majesty is wise!"

Xiao Yunzhan was discussing it with his father last night.

No concrete evidence has been found regarding the Gu family's manipulation of the canal transport, but the area under his rule is in complete chaos. Fortunately, Zhang Mo secretly set up an ice cellar, which managed to keep the Zhang family at the forefront.

Otherwise, he'd be in a real bind, wondering how to act in a way that wouldn't reveal that he didn't want to alert the enemy, rather than that he wasn't being prosecuted because there was no concrete evidence.

Xiao Yunzhan found his nervous appearance rather amusing.

He said slowly, "I understand my brother-in-law's concerns."

During your years as governor of Suzhou, it wasn't that you didn't want to do your job, but you couldn't overcome the deeply entrenched power of the local aristocratic families.

Take Zhang Mo, a collateral branch of the Zhang family, for example. A mere ninth-rank official, he dared to illegally set up an ice cellar. Isn't that blatantly showing disrespect to you, the governor?

Upon hearing this, Gu Boheng assumed he was being accused of inaction and quickly defended himself, saying, "Your Highness is wise! It's not that I don't care, it's just that the Zhang family has too deep a foothold in Suzhou!"

A few years ago, I wanted to reform the Xumen Water Gate, and I had just dealt with two corrupt minor officials when the Zhang family sent someone to plead for my life, even invoking an imperial edict from the previous dynasty… I really…”

"I know." Xiao Yunzhan interrupted him, knowing that he had gone astray.

“I have already submitted a memorial to His Majesty. Since even a member of a collateral branch dares to violate the rules, His Majesty must punish the head of the Zhang family for failing to properly manage his household.”

As for your brother-in-law, you are a member of the imperial family and a governor appointed by the court.

"Constantly focusing on the Zhang family's status as a powerful clan and holding back only makes them think you're easy to manipulate, emboldening them to act recklessly in the future."

Upon hearing this, Gu Boheng finally felt relieved, as if a huge weight had been hanging over his heart for the past few days.

"Your Highness's words truly resonate with me!"

With Your Highness's words, I'll dare to act more boldly in the future!

"That's right."

Xiao Yunzhan smiled, his gaze unconsciously drifting towards Pei Zhiwei below.

I saw her looking at the cloud cake in her hand over and over, and I didn't know what she was studying.

She'd been eating that sweet white cake bit by bit ever since she sat down, and now she still had more than half a piece left in her hand. It didn't seem like she couldn't finish it, but rather that she was reluctant to eat it too quickly.

I have no idea what's so delicious about it.

Xiao Yunzhan: "Once Madam Pei's injuries have almost healed, our group should set off for Yangdu."

The incident involving the Uyghur caravan occurred near Yangdu, which is the proper route to keep an eye on.

I originally planned to take a detour to see my third sister, but who knew I'd run into a case as soon as I arrived in Suzhou, causing such a long delay.

"What? You're leaving already?" Xiao Wanyao panicked upon hearing this, and stopped fanning herself with her fan.

"Zhiwei's injuries haven't fully healed yet!"

How could the wound on his back withstand a long journey?

Besides, you've been so busy investigating the case since you arrived that you haven't even had a proper chat with me. And now you're leaving? I won't allow it!"

Xiao Yunzhan looked at Xiao Wanyao with amusement: "We're not leaving right away. We have to wait until Zhiwei's injuries are completely healed."

I've also spoken to His Majesty about this, and I believe he will understand and won't press too hard.

"That's more like it." Xiao Wanyao waved her fan again.

"Then you'll have to keep me company for the rest of the days."

"Don't always think about the case; let me, as your older sister, get closer to you all."

Xiao Yunzhan had no choice but to agree: "Since Third Sister has said so, how can I refuse?"

For the next few days, the weather in Suzhou was exceptionally kind; even the wind felt soft on the face, unlike the harsh winds of the north.

Pei Zhiwei's injuries also healed quickly. As long as she didn't pull on the wound on her back and did anything strenuous, she was fine.

Seeing that she was almost fully recovered, Xiao Wanyao encouraged her to go boating on Taihu Lake, saying that the water was clearest and the wind was gentlest at this time of year, and that eating some Jiangnan snacks on the boat would make the trip to Suzhou worthwhile.

On the day of departure, Pei Zhiwei wore a light blue ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), her hair was loosely styled in a double bun, and she wore several delicate pearl hairpins, looking very refreshing.

Xiao Yunzhan was waiting at the gate of the mansion. When he saw her walking towards him from afar, his eyes lit up.

He had always seen Pei Zhiwei wearing Hu clothing or dark-colored clothes before, and rarely saw her wearing such a light color, which made her skin look even whiter and gave her a more gentle and soft appearance than usual.

He took two steps forward, raising his hand halfway, but then noticed Yan Jinghong beside him and quietly withdrew, only asking dryly, "Can you walk steadily? If you're tired, take a rest first; the boat hasn't set sail yet."

Pei Zhiwei: "It's okay, I can walk for half an hour without any problem."

"It's just... I haven't been out for a long time, and I'm getting a little impatient thinking about the scenery of Taihu Lake."

Watching from the side, Xiao Wanyao couldn't help but tease, "She's still a young girl at heart. She's barely able to walk and she's already thinking about playing."

"Oh dear, it's a pity that while my Yunzhan is very thoughtful, he just doesn't know how to care about his older sister like me."

Pei Zhiwei's face flushed, and she quickly lowered her head, walking briskly towards the carriage. As she passed Xiao Wanyao, she felt Xiao Wanyao's gaze burning her ears.

As Xiao Yunzhan watched her retreating figure, the tips of his ears began to burn. He quickly followed, not forgetting to complain to Xiao Wanyao in a low voice, "Third sister, please stop teasing her."

When the carriage arrived at the shore of Taihu Lake, Gu Boheng had already arranged for a boat to be prepared.

It was a medium-sized pleasure boat, with soft cushions in the cabin and light blue gauze curtains hanging on the windows.

Xiao Wanyao pulled Pei Zhiwei onto the boat first, followed by Xiao Yunzhan and Pei Lin. Gu Boheng stayed on the shore, saying that there were still official documents to deal with at the mansion, and that they would hold a banquet after they returned from their lake trip.

The boat slowly glided away, the wooden oars stirring up ripples that spread out in circles, reflecting the blue sky and making people dizzy.

Pei Zhiwei leaned against the boat window, looking at the reed marshes outside, and couldn't help but sigh, "The scenery of Taihu Lake is really beautiful, even the water is so clear."

Xiao Wanyao smiled and handed her a cup of tea: "The scenery will be even better when we get to the center of the lake. The wind will be calm then, and we can see the fish swimming in the water."

Xiao Yunzhan sat on the other side, talking to Xiao Wanyao, but his gaze kept drifting towards Pei Zhiwei.

Watching her reach for the reeds outside the window, watching her smile at the lake, watching her hold the teacup in her hands to warm them—she seemed pleasing to the eye no matter how you looked at her.

Upon reaching the center of the lake, the boatman stopped the boat, and Xiao Wanyao had lunch brought out.

The table was filled with dishes, mostly aquatic products from Taihu Lake, with the most eye-catching dish being the fish sashimi in the center.

Sliced ​​as thin as cicada wings, it was laid out on an ice plate, with a prepared ginger and vinegar sauce on the side. It looked so fresh, and even the air was filled with the aroma of fresh fish.

"Try this fish sashimi. It was just caught from Taihu Lake. It's the freshest fish sashimi you've ever had. It's even more tender than the fish sashimi you had at Linhelou."

Pei Zhiwei had her eye on the fish dish for a while. Hearing Xiao Wanyao's words, she immediately picked up her chopsticks, the tips of which were almost touching the ice plate, but Xiao Yunzhan stopped her.

Xiao Yunzhan: "Your injury has just healed. Eating these raw and cold foods will be bad for your wound."

Pei Zhiwei's hand froze in mid-air, somewhat unwilling, yet knowing that what he said made sense.

He could only slowly put down his chopsticks and say, "Okay."

Her eyes were fixed on the sashimi, and the corners of her mouth turned down, looking pitifully hungry, just like a kitten that hadn't gotten any food.

Seeing her pitiful look, Xiao Yunzhan couldn't help but put two of the thinnest pieces of sashimi into her bowl.

"But eating a little bit should be fine."

Upon hearing that it was edible, Pei Zhiwei's eyes lit up instantly, and she quickly picked up her chopsticks and began to eat in small bites.

Just as Xiao Wanyao said, it was even more delicious than what she had eaten at Linhelou before.

She couldn't help but squint her eyes, looking more like a kitten that had just had its fill.

Xiao Wanyao watched from the side, covering her mouth with a round fan in her hand, her eyes crinkling with laughter.

"Yun Zhan, why have I never seen you so attentive to your third sister before?"

"I won't allow that!"

Xiao Yunzhan's handsome face flushed, and he quickly protested, "Oh, Third Sister, you just know how to tease me."

I've always treated you the best, because you're my dearest third sister.

While saying this, he didn't dare to slack off and quickly picked up a piece of sashimi and put it into Xiao Wanyao's bowl. "Eat more, eat quickly, it won't be fresh in a while."

He glanced at Pei Zhiwei discreetly and saw that she was also looking at him, her cheeks flushed.

He quickly turned around, picked up the teacup, and took a big gulp. Had he drunk too much?

My heart is beating way too fast.

Seeing that the two of them were somewhat embarrassed, Xiao Wanyao decided to stop while she was ahead.

"Where do you plan to start your investigation when you go to Yangzhou? The main branch of Liu's Pharmacy is in Yangzhou, and the waters there are probably even deeper than in Suzhou."

Pei Lin continued, "Let's go check out Liu's Pharmacy first."

Although the shopkeeper was kidnapped and the employees ran away, some traces will always be left behind.

Furthermore, we should also investigate the Uyghur caravan matter near Yangdu; perhaps we can find some eyewitnesses.

Xiao Yunzhan nodded: "I've already sent someone to make arrangements in Yangdu. Once we arrive, we can start investigating immediately."

At this moment in Yangzhou, in a secluded tile-roofed house, a man of about fifty years old, dressed in a long robe, slammed his hand on a wooden table, making the teacups clatter.

"Zhang Chengye and those idiots from the Gu family! They can't even handle this simple matter properly, and they've already brought the case right up to Prince Rui and Pei Lin!"

Gu Boheng is even more useless; occupying the position of prefect, he can't even suppress this little matter, allowing Prince Rui to discover Liu's affair.

As he spoke, he grabbed the secret letter from the table, crumpled it into a ball, and gritted his teeth, saying, "Keep searching for that Ding Jin! I want to see him alive or dead!"